AD Agencies
4th Indian Creative Women Portfolio Evening 2023 is back!
Mumbai: To provide women and non-binary creatives a platform for visibility in the Indian advertising and design industry, Indian Creative Women (ICW) has partnered with DDB Mudra Group and D&AD for the fourth edition of Portfolio Evening, sponsored by McDonald’s.
The event aims to create a diverse creative leadership pipeline in the country and will provide an exclusive opportunity for applicants to have their portfolios reviewed by a panel of senior creative talent from the industry. Two winners will earn an all-expense paid trip to the D&AD Festival in London.
Call for portfolios is now open with the virtual event scheduled for Thursday, 7 December 2023 and the in-person event is slotted for Friday, 8 December 2023 at the Omnicom House, Mumbai. Application deadline is Monday, 4 December 2023.
Some of the eminent jurors for this year include FCB India CCO Swati Bhattacharya, Ogilvy India CCO Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Ladyfinger CCO & CEO Tista Sen, PG Aditya, CCO Talented, Clemenger BBDO senior art director Huei Yin Wong, Amazon sr creative Melbourne & New York Palak Kapadia.
With limited seats on a first-come-first-serve basis, the event is open to all creatives with an average experience of 0-6 years, including students and freelancers. Applicants who have taken a career break are also encouraged to apply.
Indian Creative Women founder Sakshi Choudhary shared her thoughts, “Despite the growing focus on DEI in the industry, there’s still not much action on ground. Indian Creative Women is committed to making the Indian ad & design industry more diverse through actionable solutions. Portfolio Evening, supported by D&AD, our local long- standing partner DDB Mudra Group, and sponsored by McDonald’s, serves as a key initiative to nurture a pipeline of strong female talent. It’s time our industry accepted the influence women bring to consumers, brands and the business of creativity.”
Speaking on the sponsorship, McDonald’s India managing director Rajeev Ranjan said, “As a proud advocate of creativity and diversity at workplace, I am immensely thrilled to witness the transformative journey that Indian Creative Women (ICW) is forging in the advertising and design landscape. At McDonald’s India, we value the pivotal role women play in improving the quality of business outcomes not only by bringing in diverse perspectives and brilliantly executing unconventional breakthrough ideas but also by leveraging and shaping consumer trends and narratives. Women today represent a significant economic force. The success of our communities in many ways depend on the success of our women associates. The ICW Portfolio Evening is a testament to the brilliance and untapped potential of female creatives across India. We are honored to support ICW in celebrating and elevating the voices of women who are the architects of tomorrow’s most compelling stories and campaigns.”
McDonald’s India CMO Arvind R.P. said, “At McDonald’s India, we actively foster an inclusive environment, where diversity is embraced as an advantage. The power of diversity and inclusion is especially vital when it comes to fuelling creativity and innovation. In light of this, we are committed to supporting initiatives like ICW that are working to create a more inclusive and equitable advertising industry. This is a unique opportunity for talented women to learn from and make a difference in the creative industry, and we are happy to be a part of this initiative.”
DDB Mudra Group CCO Rahul Mathew shared his thoughts “We’re excited to partner ICW for yet another edition of Portfolio Evening. This is an important initiative to help the industry move forward. And to have D&AD and McDonald’s join us in this journey makes this edition of the Portfolio Evening, bigger than ever.”
AD Agencies
Havas Media Network India bags integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited
PivotRoots and Arena Media to drive 360° strategy for student outreach
NEW DELHI: Havas Media Network India has secured the integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited, following a competitive multi-agency pitch, signalling a fresh push by the education major to sharpen its reach among students nationwide.
The mandate will be jointly handled by PivotRoots and Arena Media, both part of the Havas network. Together, they will roll out a full-spectrum media strategy designed to boost AESL’s visibility across digital and traditional platforms.
At the heart of the partnership lies a simple idea: making the brand not just seen, but sought after. The agencies will blend data, technology and creative storytelling to craft campaigns that resonate with students and parents navigating an increasingly digital-first education landscape.
Aakash Educational Services Limited SVP marketing Kanika Kumar Nijhawan said, “At Aakash, we believe success is built through a structured, long-term and data-driven approach. As we expand across the country, adopting a more integrated approach to media is essential. This partnership marks a significant step towards building stronger connections with our audiences.”
Under the arrangement, PivotRoots will spearhead digital and performance marketing, covering social media, influencer collaborations and data-led optimisation. Meanwhile, Arena Media will focus on traditional channels including print, television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising, ensuring consistent messaging across touchpoints.
Havas Media Network India chief executive officer Mohit Joshi said, “Delivering for a powerhouse like AESL requires both scale and precision. By combining Arena Media and PivotRoots, we are deploying our Converged.AI platform to create a 360-degree strategy that drives engagement, conversions and long-term growth.”
Echoing the sentiment, PivotRoots founder and chief executive officer Shibu Shivanandan added that the collaboration would focus on building “impactful, full-funnel experiences” powered by deep analytics and performance-led marketing.
With a strong legacy in coaching for medical and engineering entrance exams, AESL is now doubling down on integrated media to stay ahead in a crowded, fast-evolving education market. The partnership with Havas signals a clear intent: to turn visibility into meaningful engagement and, ultimately, student success.
